What common pie topping is sometimes served on pumpkin pie?

Whipped cream is a common topping sometimes served on pumpkin pie.

The topping adds a cool, airy contrast to pumpkin pie’s dense, custard-like filling and crisp pastry crust. It is often spooned or piped onto individual slices just before serving, either plain or lightly sweetened. Some cooks flavor it with vanilla, maple syrup, cinnamon, or a little bourbon.

Pumpkin pie is commonly served in the United States during Thanksgiving and other autumn meals. Its filling is usually made from cooked pumpkin or pumpkin purée, eggs, dairy, sugar, and warm spices such as cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. The pie is baked until the custard sets.

Whipped cream is traditional but not mandatory. Other toppings include vanilla ice cream, sweetened yogurt, or no topping at all. A frequent mistake is confusing whipped cream with whipped topping: whipped cream is made by aerating dairy cream, while commercial whipped toppings may use vegetable fats and stabilizers. Both can be served with pumpkin pie, but they are not identical products.